Episode 78: Slideshow
Cort: "Evening at Desmond Hall. And as the shadows thicken and
envelop the parapets and towers the shadow of death again follows Jean Paul
Desmond. But try as he may to protect the innocent who have become involved in
his dark fate he cannot combat the forces which struggle against him. Quito the
faithful powerful servant has fled from the secret chamber which was to protect
him. And Jean Paul stands alone before the powers which work towards his
destruction."
Emily sits looking through books in the Drawing Room when Holly
walks in. "Miss Blair are you still working? It's getting dark." Holly says to
her. "I hardly noticed. Oh Holly
call me Emily." "Of course Emily.
You need some light." Holly says walking to the switch and turning on the
lights. "These books about the
Desmond family are so full of material I almost feel that they are speaking to
me. That I'm hardly reading at all."
Holly walks over to Emily.
"As a matter of fact I almost feel enchanted this evening." "My roses." Holly says looking at the
vase. "I know. I think your roses
are partly to blame. They are really quite overpowering." Emily says to
Holly. "And so alive. Have you
touched them?" Holly asks. "Yes,
Jean Paul was putting one in my hair." Emily laughs. "I'm afraid that's the
effect they have on me. Any moment you might find me prancing about with a rose
between my teeth." Holly stares at
the roses. "Holly what is it?" Holly bends down to the floor. "This
flower it's dead." She says picking it up.
"That's the one Jean Paul meant for me. He dropped it." "How sad. I hate to see it die. Nobody
must wear these flowers except Jean Paul. I gave him one. You had no right to
touch them!" Holly says getting upset. "Jean Paul! Jean Paul!" Holly shouts
rushing to the door. She turns and looks at Emily. "He killed it! He killed it
and he must be punished!" Holly walks out of the room carrying the dead rose
into the foyer. "Sorry Irene. I failed you but tonight I won't. Jean Paul will
die."
Emily sits on the couch in the Drawing Room looking at a book. She
can't concentrate. She stands and walks to the window to look out. Turning she
rubs her arms looking at the desk. A book opens by itself. Emily slowly walks
towards it. She looks down and sees a sheet of paper in the book. Picking it up
she reads. "In the hallway near the North Tower a panel opens with a thoughtful
touch. Within lies a wealth of words, my treasure. Philip Desmond." There is a knock at the Drawing Room
door. Emily places the note back into the book and closes it. "Come in." Jean Paul walks in. "Sorry to disturb
you Emily but it's past working time." Jean Paul says looking at his watch. "Oh that's all right. I was almost
finished anyway." Jean Paul walks
over to Emily. "Emily is something the matter?" "Oh no. No Holly was in here and she was
very upset. I don't understand but she accused us, you and I that we killed one
of her roses. And then she said that..."
"What did she say?" Jean Paul asks.
"That you should be punished."
"Holly been not quite
herself. She lost her mother and she's been through some terrible times. But I
think slowly and with a good deal of patience from all of us. From all of us,
you understand." "Yes." Emily
says. "Now if she were upset over
the death of a rose I'm sure she'll realize how silly that is." Jean Paul says
with a small laugh and smile. "Oh besides Irene Hatter if we let her would
shower us all with roses until we were at the point of suffocation." Jean Paul
says walking to the table. "You look a little upset. How about some sherry?"
Jean Paul asks. "Thank you." Jean Paul picks up the decanter and
fills a glass. "Jean Paul?" Emily
says walking over to him.
"Yes." "Is there at Desmond
Hall a North Tower?" "Yes it's in
the wing opposite the one you are sleeping in. A very cold one it is too." He
hands Emily a glass then pours one for himself. "The wind always buffets the
North Tower. It's very bleak. I know that because as a boy I used to camp out
there. Ah regular Spartan we were my brother Philip and I." Jean Paul smiles in
memory as he takes a sip from his glass.
"Jean Paul what if I were to tell you I almost felt that Philip Desmond
was trying to reach me." Jean Paul
lowers his glass and looks at Emily. "I would say that your study of Desmond
Hall folklore is becoming intoxicating to you. And I think it's better if you
thought of something else." Jean Paul raises the glass to his mouth. "But you think about it." "Do I?" Jean Paul says then takes a
drink. "Yes and I'm sure that's why
you're so sad and distracted lately."
Jean Paul smiles. "Emily with you I'm not sad or distracted." "That's not true. Oh Jean Paul won't you
let me help you?" "Help me to do
what?" "To find Philip." Holly opens the Drawing Room doors.
"Jean Paul I've been searching all over for you." She closes the doors and walks
over to him. "You're not wearing the flower I gave you for your button hole.
Here I'll get another one." Holly says bending down and snapping a rose from the
vase. "And you like these flowers , you told me so." Jean Paul smiles at Holly. "I'm afraid I must be rude and say they
are only for you." Holly says looking at Emily. "You don't mind do you
Emily?" "No." Emily replies. "Here, wear this for me." Holly says as
she fixes the flower in the button hole.
"Holly, Emily said you were upset with me." "Upset? Oh no not at all." Holly steps
away from Jean Paul with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Jean Paul asks walking up to her. "Yes, very sure. There." She touches the
rose and glances at Emily. "Doesn't he look handsome?" Jean Paul turns and smiles at
Emily. "Oh Jean Paul I have such
exciting plans for this evening." Holly says happily. "Oh excitement here?" Jean Paul says
with a smile. "We need some." Laslo
says from the doorway. "We could all use some relaxation after a very trying
day." "Trying days. I don't want to
hear a word about trying days." Holly says walking over to the fireplace. She
covers her ears with her hands then turns and looks back lowering her
hands. "I've been in town talking
to certain people about Quito." Laslo says walking up to Jean Paul. "What about Quito." asks Jean Paul. Emily steps forward. "Jean Paul you
know. He's been accused with the death of that girl. Falsely I'm sure." "I'm glad your sure my dear. May I join
you in some sherry?" Laslo asks picking up a glass and the decanter. "Certainly." Jean Paul says to him.
"Your home is mine. I'm sure you've been making attempts on Quito's behalf. Or
was it on Quito's behalf?"
"Naturally poor soul. He couldn't kill anyone purposely." Laslo
says. "But accidentally?" Jean Paul
says. "Oh you misunderstood my
meaning Jean Paul. However the mood in town has turned very ugly. I'm afraid
there is very little we can do for him."
"I think there is a great deal we can do for him." Jean Paul says walking
away from Laslo and Emily. He walks over to Holly. "Jean Paul do we have to talk about sad
things and death? Can't we be happy just for tonight? All of us." Holly asks
with a smile. "All right we can."
Jean Paul says with a smile. He turns towards the others. "And we shall. Now
what shall we do?" "I'm tired."
Emily says putting down her glass.
"Then you must go to bed." Holly says to Emily. "This early I won't hear of it." Jean
Paul tells Emily. "Holly what are
your plans?" Laslo asks. "Well I
don't think I can tell you yet."
"Holly." Cort calls from the doorway. "In a moment." she tells Cort. She steps
forward. "I think I can tell you all. I mean in a moment." Holly says then walks
over to Cort. They step into the foyer.
"Here's the key you asked for. The key to the North Tower." Cort hands it
to her. "Cort thank you now we can
roam every parapet to the highest ledge over the river." Holly turns and looks
at Jean Paul. She walks back into the room with Cort following her. Jean Paul walks up to her. "Holly you
don't realize how dangerous that is, especially at night." "Oh but it would be so much fun to see
the lights of Desmondton down below."
"How disappointing. I was hoping for a game of hide and seek at least."
Cort says. "You're not very
entertaining Cort. What the young lady suggests is very dangerous. I myself do
not have such sporty blood. You of course may join in Jean Paul." Laslo
says. "Holly I think another time
when the light is better." says Jean Paul.
"Oh Jean Paul how can you. I gave you the rose especially for that
occasion. That rose signifies adventure."
"Oh she gave you a rose did she? I see I do not rate, not at all. Ah well
I suppose I shall go up to bed." Laslo says. "Jean Paul if you don't mind I am tired"
Emily tells Jean Paul. Cort walks
over to Holly and Jean Paul. "Then that makes just the three of us." "Holly I can't." Jean Paul says. "Master! Master!" Raxl shouts. Jean Paul rushes from the room. "Raxl."
he calls out. Raxl is running down
the staircase. "Master, Quito is gone." She rushes over to Jean Paul. "How!" "I don't know. I went in to bring him
his dinner and the room was empty."
Cort walks out to them. "I know, I let him go. Oh quite by
accident." "We've got to find him!
Laslo, Holly come with me. We've got to find Quito! Holly come with me." he says
rushing to the staircase. "Cort search the grounds." "It looks like we are going to have that
game of hide and seek after all." Cort says with a laugh. Laslo and Holly rush up the stairs
behind Jean Paul. Cort and Emily
are in the Drawing Room. Emily walks over to the table and picks up a book. "Do
you know where Quito is?" Emily asks Cort.
"No. Why should I?" Cort answers as he walks a few steps towards
Emily. "You let him go." Emily says
collecting books from the table.
"Oh it was an error on my part."
"Where was he hiding?" "In a
secret place." Cort tells her.
"Where was that secret place?" Emily asks glancing over at Cort. "If I told you it wouldn't be a secret
place." says Cort. "Could it be
anywhere near the North Tower?"
"Miss Blair, your interest in the Desmond family is coming to dangerous
proportions and it's so unnecessary. As I've told you our life is dull. Very
dull." Cort says angrily then walks out of the room. Emily opens up the book and again reads
the paper from Philip. "Within there lies a wealth of words, my treasure. Philip
Desmond." Emily looks at the key Holly had left on the table for the North
Tower. She picks it up.
Quito is hiding in Jean Paul's bedroom. The voice from the
skeleton calls out to him. "To the caves! To the caves beneath the cliffs!"
Quito looks around in terror then walks to the door. He hears Jean Paul's voice
in the hallway. "Somebody look in
my room." "I will." Holly
says. "All right Holly. Raxl come
with me." Quito moves away from the
door and hides next to the dresser. Jean Paul and Raxl call out Quito's name as
they walk away. Holly enters Jean
Paul's room with a flashlight. "Quito? Quito are you here?" She shines the light
around the room. Quito is kneeling
beside the dresser. Holly walks around the room looking with the flashlight.
"Quito it's me Holly." She turns and the light flashes next to the dresser.
Holly walks to the door and closes it. "Quito you poor thing. You're frightened.
Holly says turning off the light and walking over to him. She kneels down next
to him. "Quito I'll protect you. I won't tell anyone you're here. I won't tell
anyone if you wait for me." Quito looks away from Holly. "Quito you must trust
me. Haven't I always been kind to you?" Quito nods his head. "You must stay here
and not make a sound." Holly tells him taking off her necklace. "I'll give you
my amulet to hold. Hold it against the light of the window where the stars
shine. It will make you fee so warm and good as if nothing could ever hurt you.
Here take it." Quito holds out his
hands. Holly places it into the palm of his hand. "There you stay here and don't make a
sound so that the others won't know. Because Quito I must stay close to Jean
Paul for a time." Holly says standing and staring straight ahead. "We will
search for you like playing a game. The tower, on the roof, on the
ledge."
Emily has found Philip's secret room. She carries a candle as she
walks to the table. The door closes behind her. Emily rushes over to the door
trying to open it.
Quito stands at the window in Jean Paul's room. He looks out then
he turns around looking at the necklace. Walking over to the door he hears Jean
Paul's voice. "Not a sign of him
anywhere." "He's a stupid fellow.
If the townspeople find him it's his own fault." Laslo says. Quito backs away in
fear.
Cort walks into the house after looking around outside. He enters
the foyer. Jean Paul and
Laslo rush down the staircase. "He has never disobeyed me before. I can't
understand this." Jean Paul says to Laslo.
"He wasn't outside." Cort says.
"Did you look thoroughly?" Jean Paul asks. "Well as thoroughly as anyone can look
in the dark." Cort says taking off his coat. "Cort I am holding you personally
responsible for this. You turned him loose. Now why?" Jean Paul asks walking
over to Cort. "Believe me cousin it
was sheer coincidence. I opened the door, Quito saw me and rushed out in a
rage." "In a rage. You don't think
he's killed again in Desmondton?" Laslo asks. Jean Paul turns angrily towards Laslo.
"He has never killed." "I wish you
didn't have so many secrets cousin. You see if you had told me Quito was in the
room I wouldn't have opened the door accidentally." "Secrets yes. Where is this secret
room?" Laslo asks walking across to Jean Paul and Cort. "Why is it I was never
been informed of it's existence?"
"Because you're not a Desmond." Cort tells him. "It's between Jean Paul,
Philip and me." "It is. Laslo this
is Philip's private room." Jean Paul tells him. "Now he showed it to Cort that
was his choice but I don't have the right to show it to anyone." Jean Paul says
and walks away from Laslo. "Very
well then, you may hunt for Quito yourself. Since I am not a member of this
household I will say goodnight." Laslo says as he walks up the staircase. "Goodnight stepfather." Cort calls
out. "Cort one day I will turn my
attention to you." Laslo says to him.
Cort shakes his head. "What ever that means. He's a man of many
threats." "Did you search those
grounds thoroughly?" Jean Paul asks him.
"Well I went as far as the cliffs. I certainly wasn't going to leap off
in dedication. Unless you wanted me to?"
Jean Paul walks up to Cort. "Cort listen why do you want to make me an
enemy when I'm willing to be your friend?"
"I don't need friends. My plans don't involve friends." Cort says walking
to through the foyer to the staircase. He stops and looks back at Jean Paul.
"Laslo was right. I think you better continue the search alone." "Cort? Holly, where is she?" "I thought she was with you." "No the last time I saw her she
was...she was near the North Tower outside the secret room door." Jean Paul says
walking over to Cort.
Emily is trapped in the secret room calling out for help. "Help!
Please somebody help me! I'm locked in!" Emily cries out. "Holly!" Jean Paul calls out from the
other side. "No it's Emily! Oh
please please! " Jean Paul pushes
the door open. "Jean Paul!" Emily
rushes into his arms. "I was locked in!" She starts sobbing. "It's all right. It's all right now.
Come over here." He leads her over to the table. "Emily how did you get in
here?" "I found a note in a book
from Philip." she says sobbing and hiding against Jean Paul's shoulder. "Philip?" "It described the room and how to get
here. I'm sorry Jean Paul." she says hiding her face against his jacket. "I'm
sorry." "You should never have come
in here." "I know." she says
crying. "But he mentioned books, these books. And then when everybody was gone
away looking for Quito I came in here alone." "Jean Paul?" Cort calls out. "In here Cort." Jean Paul calls out. He
still holds Emily. Cort walks in
with a flashlight. He glances at Jean Paul then Emily. "Emily? You have no
business in here." "She know, she
knows." Jean Paul says trying to sooth Emily. She is still sobbing quietly. Cort shines his flashlight against the
wall. "What have you done with it?"
Jean Paul looks at Cort questioningly. "The skeleton." Cort shines his
flashlight on a bare wall.
In Jean Paul's room Quito looks around then looks down at the
necklace in his hand. "You shan't
escape." The skeleton's voice tells him. "Don't you know in this house you will
not escape?" Quito walks closer to the door looking around. "You must do as I
told you. Go to the caves by the river! Go now!" The skeleton appears in the
room with Quito. "Quickly before it is to late." Quito looks frightened. He turns and
opens the door. "Run, run go! Find Philip! Find Philip!" The skeleton fades
away.
Laslo stands on the staircase. "Hello." He walks down the stairs.
"I heard shouts." He walks to the door of the Drawing Room. "Is anyone here?"
Turning he sees Quito running down the staircase. "Quito! Quito we've been
looking all over for you!" He grabs Quito by the arm to stop him. Quito pushes
Laslo down. "Quito!" Jean Paul and
Emily run down the staircase. "What happened?" Jean Paul asks. Laslo sits up. "He knocked me down. I
tried to stop him. Quito!" Laslo shouts. Jean Paul squats next to him.
"Quito?" "He's gone." Laslo says
pointing to the open doors. "I've
got to find him! Quito!" Jean Paul shouts running out the
door.
Holly walks into Jean Paul's bedroom. "Quito it's me Holly. Are
you here?" Holly looks around the room with a flashlight. "Quito?" She looks
around the window. Turning she stares straight ahead. "He's gone Irene. I tried
again and I failed. But it will happen. Jean Paul will die."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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